Welsh legislator Ann Jones receives NFPA advocacy award for efforts leading to a nationwide requirement for home fire sprinklers

Spearheading legislation to require fire sprinklers in all new homes in Wales, NFPA honored Ann Jones during its Conference and Expo in Boston. Jones received the James M. Shannon Advocacy Medal, established in honor of NFPA's former president, a dedicated advocate for fire sprinklers who helped launch NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative.

In 2007, Jones headed a legislative proposal that would give Wales authority to ensure that all new homes are fitted with automatic fire sprinklers. She worked diligently to get cross-party support for sprinklers, sought out skeptical legislators, educated them on safety benefits, and won over the fire and rescue service with her enthusiasm and belief. The sprinkler law passed in 2011, making Wales the first country to pass a nationwide requirement and providing a model for all jurisdictions to follow.

Jones is from Rhyl, a town on the northern coast of Wales. She worked for more than three decades in the Rhyl Fire Service emergency call center, skillfully handling emergencies with compassion and composure. Over the years, Jones also held a number of key leadership positions with the Fire Brigades Union, was a town councilor, county councilor, and town mayor. In addition, she has been a member of the National Assembly for Wales since 1999, and currently serves as the presiding officer. Her devotion to safety, education, disability issues, and women in public life is highly regarded throughout Wales and beyond.

Jones currently holds chair positions with the National Assembly, and participates as an active member of various committees. She leads meetings at the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, and is vice president of the Assembly’s Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

NFPA's Fire Sprinkler Initiative team warmly congratulates Ann for her dedication to life safety, and for her role in passing sprinkler legislation!